AQAP Releases Sixth Issue of Inspire Magazine

July 19, 2011

The sixth issue of the English-language terrorist magazine, Inspire, released online by the media wing of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) on July 19, 2011, focuses mostly on the martyrdom of Osama bin Laden and other AQAP fighters.

The cover story in the Summer 2011 issue, titled "Sadness, Contentment & Aspiration," is about the death of Osama bin Laden. Written by Samir Khan, an American blogger who distributed terrorist propaganda material from the U.S. for several years before leaving, the article describes the mixedemotions of sadness at the loss of bin Laden, contentment that he at last had the martyrdom he desired, and aspiration to continue following his path.

Khan reminds his audience that "jihad is not for the sake of these commanders and leaders; rather it's for the sake of Allah," and that his "martyrdom wouldn't in any way shape or form limit our struggle to manifest the shari`ah in the Muslim lands." He warns that the "kuffar [infidels] should realize that Islam is what burns in our souls and not any personality or object," and that "the martyrdom of Shyakh Usama is not going to go unanswered. His death will only bring them misery and it will be a curse for them until they leave our lands."

The magazine includes a reprint of Al Qaeda's official statement on bin Laden's death, as well as bin Laden's "Address to the Revolutionaries" concerning the Arab Spring and a poem praising martyrdom entitled "Progeny of the Exceptional."

In the "letter from the editor," Yahya Ibrahim, whose work has been featured in previous issues of Inspire, apologizes for the publication delay. He writes that "the mujahidin are busy laying the foundations for the coming of the rule of shari`ah" in Yemen as "the country is falling apart and our brothers are busy picking up the pieces" and taking advantage of the political situation to secure a strong base in south Yemen. He references the featured biographies in the magazine of six shuhada' [martyrs], killed in the AQAP insurgency in Yemen. He also laments the loss of bin Laden and asks "Allah to assist" al Qaeda's new leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri.

One recurring section of the magazine, titled "Open Source Jihad," features an image of Sydney, Australia and the Sydney Opera House. In past issues, this section included pictures of the Chicago and New York skylines. This issue's lessons demonstrate various positions in which to shoot an AK-47 and provide detailed instructions for making acetone peroxide, a popular and easily manufactured explosive.

A section titled "The Jihadi Experiences," written by Abu Mus'ab al-Suri, focuses on "Conditions for the Resistance to Use Individual Jihad." Al-Suri notes the success of counterterrorism efforts to break up cells and locate other member after interrogating some who have already been detained and also through the use of "decisive air attacks." He also claims that the organizations do not have a place for all those "who want to perform the duty of jihad," and the difficulty to locate a single battlefront given the widespread locations and interests "of the enemy." Al-Suri then instructs that individual jihad should become "an organized strategic phenomenon" accessible by all who "wish to participate in the jihad." In order to facilitate this, the larger networks need to spread the knowledge "that the mujahidin need," coordinate efforts, and direct "fighters to areas of operation" and "to the most important targets."

While this issue does have an article by al Qaeda lader Abu Yahya Al-Libi, it is remarkable for its lack of any materials from Ayman al-Zawahiri or Anwar al-Awlaki. The magazine does however continue to advertise that you can send in your questions and that Awlaki will answer them.